Oscar-winning actress Sally Field recently revealed the deeply personal story of her “horrific” and “traumatic” illegal abortion at the age of 17 in 1964. In a passionate video shared on Instagram, she called on voters to support Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, emphasizing the critical importance of reproductive rights.
Field initially shared her abortion experience in her 2018 memoir, *In Pieces*, but admitted she had long been reluctant to talk about it. In the video, she reminisced about a time when contraceptives were scarce and only available to married women. “It was a time even worse than now,” she stated. “So many women of my generation went through similar traumatic events, and thinking about them empowers me. They, like me, must want to fight for their grandchildren and all the young women in this country.”
Reflecting on her own journey, Field opened up about the profound shame she still harbors, stemming from her 1950s upbringing. At just 17, while Roe v. Wade was yet to be established, she found herself pregnant and without family support. A family friend and doctor helped arrange for her to travel with her mother and his wife to Tijuana, Mexico, for the procedure.
“We parked on a scuzzy little street; it was terrifying,” Field recalled. The doctor instructed her to enter a particular building with cash. “He handed me an envelope with money and said, ‘Go get it done and come right back.’ I thought he’d be there in case something went wrong.”
The procedure itself was “beyond hideous and life-altering,” and she faced it without adequate anesthesia. “A technician gave me a few puffs of ether, but he took it away before it could help,” she explained. “I felt everything—the pain was excruciating.”
Field shared a particularly dark moment when the technician began molesting her during the procedure. “I had to figure out how to push him away while I was in so much distress. It was an absolute pit of shame. Once it was over, they rushed me out as if the building was on fire—it was illegal, after all.”
She expressed gratitude for the doctor who risked his license to help her, noting how this harrowing experience became a turning point in her life, leading her to audition for roles and eventually land her breakout part in *Gidget*.
Field highlighted that women today still grapple with similar challenges in accessing reproductive healthcare. “These are the struggles women face now—trying to navigate to another state without the resources, the means, or even knowing where to go,” she emphasized. “We must respect young women’s health and their right to choose if they can give birth at this time.”
In her video caption, Field urgently urged voters to support Harris and Tim Walz, or any initiatives aimed at protecting reproductive freedom. “PLEASE. WE CAN’T GO BACK!!” she implored.
Field, who backed Harris during Biden’s presidency, expressed deep gratitude towards Biden and reaffirmed her unwavering support for Harris: “I support her with my whole 77-year-old heart.”
Despite public polling showing that a majority of Americans favor access to abortion, many Republican-led state legislatures have sought to impose restrictions, often citing conservative religious beliefs. As the political landscape evolves, concerns remain that further restrictions on women’s reproductive rights could be looming, particularly as the possibility of a second Trump presidency unfolds.
